Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Jewellery
How do I know the jewellery is genuine antique? Every piece we sell is personally inspected and selected by us before listing. Where hallmarks are present we describe them fully — assay office, date letter and carat mark — so you can verify the age and metal independently. Where a piece is unmarked we say so clearly and explain why. We never describe a piece as antique unless we are confident it is. Our reputation depends on accuracy.
Where we have any doubt about a piece, we use trusted third party specialists to assist with authentication. Every piece that leaves us has been validated to the best of our knowledge and expertise.
What does antique mean? In the jewellery trade, antique typically refers to pieces over 100 years old. Pieces from the 1920s through to the 1970s are generally described as vintage. We stock both and always specify the era and approximate date in every listing.
What eras do you specialise in? We specialise in Georgian (pre-1830), Victorian (1837–1901), Edwardian (1901–1910) and Art Deco (1920s–1930s) jewellery. Occasionally we stock later vintage pieces where they are of exceptional quality or character. If it is genuinely antique or genuinely special, it has a place in our collection.
What are hallmarks and how do I read them? British hallmarks are a series of small stamped marks that confirm the metal, its purity, where it was tested and when. A full hallmark includes the maker's mark, the assay office mark, the standard mark (carat) and the date letter. We have written a detailed guide to reading hallmarks on our blog — including a free date letter lookup tool for London and Birmingham pieces.
What if a piece has no hallmarks? Many antique pieces — particularly Georgian jewellery, wax seal pendants, and pieces made before 1854 — were legally produced without hallmarks. We always note when a piece is unmarked and explain the likely reason. Unmarked does not mean the metal is not genuine — we test pieces where hallmarks are absent and describe the metal accordingly.
What is an intaglio? An intaglio is a design carved into the surface of a hard stone, typically carnelian, bloodstone or chalcedony. The carving is recessed rather than raised — the opposite of a cameo. Intaglios were used as wax seals and were among the most prized objects of the Georgian and Victorian periods. We have written a full guide to rebus intaglios on our blog. You may also enjoy our guide to antique signet rings.
Condition & Authenticity
How do you grade condition? We use a simple five-grade scale: Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good and Fair. Most of our pieces grade Very Good or Excellent — we select for condition as well as quality. Every listing includes specific condition notes describing any wear, marks or imperfections honestly.
Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity? We do not issue formal Certificates of Authenticity as standard, but every piece is validated by us based on our knowledge and expertise. Where we have any uncertainty we bring in trusted third party specialists to assist — at no cost to you. You can buy from us with confidence that what we say about a piece is what we genuinely believe it to be.
Can I return a piece if it is not as described? Yes. We stand fully behind our descriptions. If a piece arrives and is materially different from how we have described it, please contact us within 14 days of delivery and we will arrange a return and issue a full refund. The piece must be returned unworn and in the same condition it was received. Return postage is the responsibility of the buyer. Please see our returns policy for full details.
Buying & Payment
Do you offer layaway or payment plans? Yes — we are happy to discuss layaway arrangements on a case by case basis. If you have found a piece you love but would like to spread the cost over a short period, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate you. We want our jewellery to find the right home and are always willing to have a conversation about how we can make that happen.
What payment methods do you accept? We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay and Klarna. All transactions are processed securely.
Do you offer payment in instalments? Yes — Klarna is available at checkout, allowing you to spread the cost of your purchase interest-free.
Can I reserve a piece? We don't formally reserve pieces as our stock moves quickly, but if you have a question about a specific item please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Shipping & Delivery
How do you ship? UK orders are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery, guaranteed next day (subject to location), fully insured and tracked.
International orders valued at approximately £300 and above are sent via DHL, fully insured and tracked. International orders below that threshold are sent via Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed, also fully insured.
Is shipping free? Yes — we offer free worldwide shipping on all orders.
How long does delivery take? UK orders are typically delivered next working day. We do our best to dispatch promptly — same day where possible, though this cannot always be guaranteed. International delivery times vary by destination — typically 3–7 working days for Europe and 5–14 working days for the rest of the world.
Do I need to pay import duties on international orders? For customers purchasing from the United States, any applicable import duties, tariffs, and customs charges are covered by us. You will not be required to pay additional fees when your order arrives.
For customers outside the United States, any local taxes, duties, or import charges that apply are the responsibility of the buyer. Customs regulations vary by country, so we recommend checking with your local customs authority before placing an order.
How are pieces packaged? Every piece is carefully wrapped and posted in a secure, discreet package. Higher value pieces are boxed. We do not use branded packaging for security reasons.
Care & Maintenance
How should I care for antique jewellery? Antique jewellery should be stored away from direct sunlight and humidity, ideally in a soft pouch or lined box. Keep pieces away from perfume, hairspray and cleaning products. Gold and silver can be gently cleaned with a soft cloth — avoid ultrasonic cleaners on pieces with stones, enamel or hollow construction.
Can antique rings be resized? Yes — we offer a ring resizing service at an additional charge. The cost varies depending on the metal, the age of the piece and whether additional gold needs to be added to achieve the required size. Resizing typically takes around one week from the point of request. Please get in touch before purchasing if you need a specific size and we will advise whether resizing is suitable for that particular piece. Browse our current antique ring collection.
Can I wear antique jewellery every day? Many of our pieces are perfectly wearable daily — Victorian gold chains and bracelets were made for exactly that purpose and have already survived over a century of wear. More delicate pieces — enamel, pieces with fragile stones, or very fine filigree work — are better suited to occasional wear. We note this in the listing where relevant.
Getting in Touch
I have a question about a specific piece — how do I contact you? Use the contact form on our website and we will aim to get back to you the same day. We typically respond within a few hours — though if you are contacting us from a different time zone, please allow for the time difference.
I am looking for something specific — can you source it? We are active buyers and regularly attend fairs and auctions across the UK. If you are looking for something specific — a particular era, type of piece or stone — get in touch and we will keep an eye out for you.
I have a piece I would like to sell — do you buy? We would love to hear from you. Some of our favourite finds have come through private sellers, and we are always on the lookout for quality antique and vintage jewellery — any era, as long as it is genuinely antique or genuinely special. If you have something you are thinking of parting with, please get in touch with a few photos and a brief description. We will come back to you promptly and are happy to make a fair offer.
Do you have a physical shop? We are purely online — which means our full collection is always available to browse at thenorthc.co.uk, wherever you are in the world.